Month: April 2007

Mayor says no to the Bicycle Master Plan

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Mayor Tom Potter has proposed
a not-so-bike-friendly budget.
File photo: 10/19/06

Last year, Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams received $50,000 to fund the first stages of Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan Update process. But this year, Adams’ office was surprised to see that the Mayor has decided to not continue funding this project.

In his latest proposed budget (released on 4/16) Mayor Potter chose to not set aside the $100,000 that Adams requested in order to continue the work on the Bicycle Master Plan Update.

The request was part of $400,000 in bicycle-related funding that was folded into Adams’ Safe Streets Initiative.

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Bike-powered film installation coming to PDX Fest

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

This installation debuts in
Portland tomorrow.
Photo: Vanessa Renwick

There will be a provocative, bike-themed video installation at the upcoming PDX Film Fest. Filmmaker and artist Vanessa Renwick of the Oregon Department of Kick Ass, says people will be offered a new way to appreciate her classic film, The Yodeling Lesson.

If you haven’t seen The Yodeling Lesson. Here’s a recap:

Accompanied by a soundtrack of bagpipes and yodeling, the 4+ minute film depicts a woman (Moe Bowstern) riding (mostly no-handed) up the N. Mississippi St. hill on a dreary and cold morning. When she gets to the top, she takes off all her clothes and proceeds to careen down the hill, riding the whole thing completely nude and with no hands.

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Vulnerable Roadway User bill passes committee

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Rep. MacPherson,
Chair of the House
Judiciary Committee.
Photo: State of OR

The House Judiciary Committee voted 5-4 (along party lines) in favor the Vulnerable Roadway Users bill (H.B. 3314) this morning. The bill was passed with some significant amendments.

The amendments change the base infraction from a Class A misdemeanor to a traffic violation payable by a $237 fine. In addition to this fine, if a vehicle operator is careless and hits a vulnerable roadway user they would then choose between a $12,500 fine and one-year license suspension, or pay $250 and complete a driver improvement course.

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Police, citizens testify on Vulnerable Roadway Users bill

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

“What we are very interested in is moving the violator into a driver improvement program, which would include training, completion of community service, and a physical test for competency.”
–BTA Board Member Doug Parrow, testifying in Salem yesterday.

A bill backed by the BTA and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (WPC) that seeks to increase the penalty for any vehicle (including bicycles) that injures or kills a “vulnerable user” of the roadway got its first hearing in Salem yesterday.

I wasn’t at the hearing but I’ve spoken with Lawyer Ray Thomas and BTA lobbyist Scott Bricker, and I’ve also listened to the audio recording.

The bill was heard by the House Judiciary Committee and did not make it to a vote due to time constraints and some last minute wrangling with various amendments.

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PDOT shares summary of Existing Conditions

The first order of business for PDOT’s wide-ranging effort to update the Bicycle Master Plan, was to complete an Existing Conditions Report.

Armed with GIS analysis, public feedback, and field assessments, the report, “explores the locations, barriers, and opportunities for bicycling in the city.” At this time, it’s still undergoing internal writing and review, but city bike coordinator Roger Geller just released a three-page Executive Summary.

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Stolen marin vincenza

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

silver fram with black accents, aluminum frount fork that is slightly lighter in color, black handelbar tape, clipless petals,

More Info on Finetoothcog

Portland bike polo team wins big in B.C.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

The Axles of Evil.
(L to R) Bjorn, Ringer, Mason
Photo: Bjorn Warloe

Portland’s Axles of Evil bike polo team made a trip up to Vancouver BC over the weekend to compete in The Last Riders of the APOLOclypse, an event put on by East Van Bike Polo.

The team of northeast Portland residents, Bjorn, Ringer, and Mason beat out a team from Seattle in the finals 5-4 to bring home the coveted Golden Plate, and further cemented Portland’s great reputation for bike polo.

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Stolen Marin Kentfield

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Brand new Marin Kentfield bike with silver and black fenders, black rack, and cateye lights. Bulldog U-lock attached to the frame.

More Info on Finetoothcog

Latest Headlines

Portland bike thief sentenced to four years in prison

An homage to Portland’s bikeway network signs

Exciting progress on Willamette Blvd project

Jobs of the Week: Bike Clark County, Metropolis, Cycle Portland, and more

From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike